STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held in The Skylight Room, The Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Thursday, 11th June, 2009, commencing at 7.00 p.m.


Present:    Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese in the Chair, Mr. R. Jerman, Mr. A. Mullard, Mr D. Roper, Mrs G King and Mrs. L. Wheatley.

Members:    Mr. A. Aldridge.

1.        Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Dawe (leave) and Mr. J. Macey (prior engagement).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

2.      Election of Chairman.  As the Chair of the Council was not present, the Clerk asked for nominations for Chairman of this Committee.   Mrs. L. Wheatley proposed Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese, seconded Mr. D. Roper and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that:

        Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese be duly elected.   

3.    Election of Vice-Chairman.   Mrs. L. Wheatley proposed Mr. A. Mullard; seconded Mr. D. Roper and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED THAT:

        Mr. A Mullard be duly elected.

4.    Co-option of Committee members.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that Mr. A Aldridge be duly co-opted.

5.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  Mr. R. Jerman declared an interest in Agenda Item Number 8. – Kiafield Exhibition on plans for Old Mill Drive and Agenda Item No’s. 13. (b) and (c) – DC/08/1793, Land North of the Norbertine Monastery and Our Lady of England Catholic Church.

6.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 9th April, 2009.  These minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman. 

Matters Arising:-

7.    Minute No. 122 : Listing of Old School Building - Update.   Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that a letter had been received from English Heritage stating that due to the fact that a request had been made in 2004 for the Old School to be listed and this had been refused, our most recent application would not be considered until 5 years had elapsed.  The office had written a letter to English Heritage registering their disappointment that they had not been informed of this during a telephone conversation in April 2009, and had requested confirmation that the Parish Council could resubmit the details once the five year assessment rule had elapsed – 14th July 2009.  To date, no response had been received.

8.    Minute No. 124 : Village Design Statement – Update.  Work was progressing on the above document, but not as quickly as anticipated, this was mainly due to other work commitments.  It was agreed that members would assist in the drafting of this document and various sections were distributed between members, with the request that they accompany any detail with, where possible, photographs.  It was also suggested that the office ask Storrington Camera Club for their assistance. The aim was to hold a public exhibition in September.

9.    Minute No. 131 : 1, School Hill, DC/09/0692 and 0693.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese
     informed members that the application for an “A” board outside this site had been
     withdrawn.

10.    Kiafield Exhibition of plans for Old Mill Drive.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that this exhibition would take place here at the Parish Hall on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June.  Posters had been displayed advertising this exhibition on notice boards and at the library.

11.    HDC E-consultation on Planning Applications.  An acknowledgement had been received from HDC dated 26th May, thanking the Parish Council for their offer of volunteering to a pilot period, stating that they would try to organise the administration for this process and contact the Parish again soon.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese mentioned that H.D.C. would assist with the funding of any new equipment needed to run the pilot.

12.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I. 

DC/09/0893 – Unit 19A, Water Lane Trading Estate, Robell Way.  Change of use from B8 (Storage or distribution) to Sui Generis – Dog Day Care, Training and Behaviour Centre.  Mrs. Wheatley took this application away to comment on. 

13.    Planning Application Decisions – Appendix II.  These were duly NOTED. 

14.    Planning Applications, Comment Summary – since the meeting on the 12th February, 2009.   These were duly NOTED.

15.    Appeal Decisions.

    (a)    DC/08/2330 – 23, West Street – conversion of outbuilding to 1-bed dwelling. 
         APPEAL DISMISSED.
    (b)    DC/08/1793 -  Land north of the Norbertine Monastery and Our Lady of England
     Catholic Church – erection of  9 dwellings.  APPEAL GRANTED.
(c)     DC/08/1793 -  Land north of the Norbertine Monastery and Our Lady of England
Catholic – Costs Application.  APPEAL DISMISSED.
(d)     DC/08/2346 – 19, Hillside Road – New double width garage and new access.   APPEAL GRANTED.

16.    Tree Preservation Order

TPO No. 1394 - Land Fronting 67-72 Meadowside.  1 x Hornbeam and 1 x Cherry
     CONFIRMED.

17.    S.106 Monies

    DC/08/1793 – Land at Eastern Side of Monastery Lane.  Amenity Open space £555, 2 x Play Areas £400 each, Youth Activity Areas £733, Outdoor Sports Facilities £4,014, Indoor Sports Facilities £964, Recycling & Refuse £900, Transport Infrastructure £14,720.  Education Contribution £23,622.75.  Fire Services Infrastructure £940.

    DC/08/1471 – Seamac Ltd, 7, Pulborough Road.  Community Facilities £2,930.  Transport Infrastructure £2,015.

    Members requested that Mr. F. Wilkinson be notified of the transport facility contributions.

18.    Chairman’s Announcements.

(a)    Tree Work – Storrington Pond.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that a storm
    damaged Willow Tree at Storrington Pond had to have some dead boughs removed
on health and safety grounds and that this had been carried out by Andrew Gale at a cost of £250.
(b)    Stopping up of Highway at Water Lane.  Mrs Worthington-Leese reported that
whilst members originally had no objection to the proposal, since writing in May a number of complaints had been received from horse riders stating that a 1.5m path was not adequate room to pass safely.  A letter of objection had since been sent to the National Transport Office requesting that the applicant look into widening the proposed pathway to 2.5 metres.
(c)      Tree Works – Warren Chase.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that despite
being told that this application would be going to the Development Control Committee on 16th June, the application had now been withdrawn   
(d)    DC/09/0001 – Erection of Floodlights at HDC Hurston Lane Depot.  It was announced that this application was now going to the Development Control Committee on 16th June at Horsham.
(e)    8, Rowan Close – Licence.  HDC had notified the Parish Council that they would be granting the owners a licence for pedestrian access over their land on the proviso that the owners erected a new fence with a gate.  Members expressed their concern regarding the issuing of said Licence as the Parish Council were Lessees in Possession and HDC could not issue a licence due to the land being leased to the P.C.  The office should contact HDC and inform them of this. It was felt that this would set a precedent.

19.    Documents for Councillors to Read.

(a)    HDC Rural Affordable Housing Strategy – 2009 Update, Mr D. Roper took away
this report to read.
(b)     Southern Water’s performance Report – 2008/09.  Mr. A. Mullard took away this
         report to read.
(c)     HDC Facilitating Appropriate Development Supplementary Planning
         Document.  This document would be left in the office for Councillors to read.
(d)    Formal Submission of partial review to the South East RSS in relation to:
Somewhere to Live: Planning for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.  This document should be passed to Mr. J. Sanson.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.15 pm.